There Are Some Nightmare Travel Stories Coming Out Of Sochi

Published 12:29 pm, Tuesday, February 4, 2014

A construction worker prepares to pain a wall ahead of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games at the "Laura" cross-country and biathlon centre in Rosa Khutor, February 5, 2014.

A construction worker prepares to pain a wall ahead of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games at the "Laura" cross-country and biathlon centre in Rosa Khutor, February 5, 2014.

Photo: Carlos Barria, Reuters

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A dog basks in the sun as athlete take part in an unofficial cross-country training session at the Laura Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon Centre in Rosa Khutor, near Sochi, on February 5, 2014. The Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 officially opens on February 7th. less

A dog basks in the sun as athlete take part in an unofficial cross-country training session at the Laura Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon Centre in Rosa Khutor, near Sochi, on February 5, 2014. The Sochi ... more

Photo: Kirill Kudryavtsev, AFP/Getty Images

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Last-minute work continues in construction of the Olympic Superstore in Olympic Park, ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014, in Sochi, Russia.

Last-minute work continues in construction of the Olympic Superstore in Olympic Park, ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014, in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Robert F. Bukaty, Associated Press

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Workmen continue construction at accommodation in Gorki City Krasnaya Polyana prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 2, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Workmen continue construction at accommodation in Gorki City Krasnaya Polyana prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 2, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Lars Baron, Getty Images

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Construction work continues at the Shayba Arena ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Olympic Park on February 5, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Construction work continues at the Shayba Arena ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Olympic Park on February 5, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Bruce Bennett, Getty Images

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A stray dog walks through Olympic Park ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 5, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

A stray dog walks through Olympic Park ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 5, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Paul Gilham, Getty Images

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A construction worker lays paving bricks ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Coastal Cluster on February 4, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

A construction worker lays paving bricks ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Coastal Cluster on February 4, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Bruce Bennett, Getty Images

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Workmen continue construction at accommodation in Gorki City Krasnaya Polyana ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 5, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Workmen continue construction at accommodation in Gorki City Krasnaya Polyana ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 5, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Lars Baron, Getty Images

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A construction worker pushes a cart past hotel buildings at Gorki Plaza prior to the 2014 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. The games run from Feb. 7-23.

A construction worker pushes a cart past hotel buildings at Gorki Plaza prior to the 2014 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. The games run from Feb. 7-23.

Photo: Jae C. Hong, Associated Press

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A construction worker is silhouetted as he walks up the steps of a hotel building at Gorki Plaza prior to the 2014 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

A construction worker is silhouetted as he walks up the steps of a hotel building at Gorki Plaza prior to the 2014 Winter Olympics, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Photo: Jae C. Hong, Associated Press

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Construction work at a Gorky Gorod 540 hotel is seen prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Mountain Cluster on February 3, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Construction work at a Gorky Gorod 540 hotel is seen prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Mountain Cluster on February 3, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Julian Finney, Getty Images

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Construction work at a Gorky Gorod 540 hotel is seen prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Mountain Cluster on February 3, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Construction work at a Gorky Gorod 540 hotel is seen prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Mountain Cluster on February 3, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Julian Finney, Getty Images

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A member of the media walks past a stray dog outside the Main Press Center in advance of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

A member of the media walks past a stray dog outside the Main Press Center in advance of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

Photo: Winslow Townson, Reuters

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Construction work at a Gorky Gorod 540 hotel is seen prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Mountain Cluster on February 3, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Construction work at a Gorky Gorod 540 hotel is seen prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Mountain Cluster on February 3, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Julian Finney, Getty Images

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A dog lies in the sun, as an unofficial cross-country training session takes place at the Laura Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon Centre in Rosa Khutor, near Sochi, on February 5, 2014.

A dog lies in the sun, as an unofficial cross-country training session takes place at the Laura Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon Centre in Rosa Khutor, near Sochi, on February 5, 2014.

Photo: Kirill Kudryavtsev, AFP/Getty Images

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A stray dog walks past the Olympic rings during the official flag raising ceremony before the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014. Authorities have turned to a company to catch and kill the animals so they don't bother Sochi's new visitors, or even wander into an Olympic event. less

A stray dog walks past the Olympic rings during the official flag raising ceremony before the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014. Authorities have turned to a company to catch ... more

Photo: Nathan Denette, Associated Press

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Construction work continues apace outside the Gorki Plaza East hotel in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. The IOC is urging Russian Olympic organizers to move quickly to resolve the issue of accommodations that are not ready for accredited media personnel in the mountains outside Sochi. According to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic organizing committee, only six of the nine media hotels in the mountain area are fully operational. less

Construction work continues apace outside the Gorki Plaza East hotel in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. The IOC is urging Russian Olympic organizers to move quickly to resolve the issue of ... more

Photo: Luca Bruno, Associated Press

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Construction work continues apace outside the Gorki Plaza East hotel in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. The IOC is urging Russian Olympic organizers to move quickly to resolve the issue of accommodations that are not ready for accredited media personnel in the mountains outside Sochi. According to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic organizing committee, only six of the nine media hotels in the mountain area are fully operational. less

Construction work continues apace outside the Gorki Plaza East hotel in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. The IOC is urging Russian Olympic organizers to move quickly to resolve the issue of ... more

Photo: Luca Bruno, Associated Press

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A construction worker works on a pipe in the mountain media village on top of the village of Esto Sadok at the Rosa Khutor alpine resort near Sochi, February 2, 2014. Sochi will host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games from February 7 to 23. less

A construction worker works on a pipe in the mountain media village on top of the village of Esto Sadok at the Rosa Khutor alpine resort near Sochi, February 2, 2014. Sochi will host the 2014 Winter Olympic ... more

Photo: Kai Pfaffenbach, Reuters

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Workmen continue construction at accommodation in Gorki Village Krasnaya Polyana prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 2, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Workmen continue construction at accommodation in Gorki Village Krasnaya Polyana prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 2, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Lars Baron, Getty Images

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Workmen continue construction at accommodation in Gorki Village Krasnaya Polyana prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 2, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Workmen continue construction at accommodation in Gorki Village Krasnaya Polyana prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 2, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Lars Baron, Getty Images

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Construction work continues on the Formula One pitlane and main straight at the Sochi International Street Circuit ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Olympic Park on February 5, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. less

Construction work continues on the Formula One pitlane and main straight at the Sochi International Street Circuit ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the Olympic Park on February 5, 2014 in Sochi, ... more

Photo: Clive Mason, Getty Images

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A dog sleeps at the entrance of the finish line during a cross-country training session for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games at the "Laura" cross-country and biathlon centre in Rosa Khutor February 5, 2014. Sochi will host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games from February 7 to 23. less

A dog sleeps at the entrance of the finish line during a cross-country training session for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games at the "Laura" cross-country and biathlon centre in Rosa Khutor February 5, 2014. ... more

Photo: Carlos Barria, Reuters

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Construction work continues at the RusSki Gorki Ski Jumping venue ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 1, 2014 in Rosa Khutor, Sochi.

Construction work continues at the RusSki Gorki Ski Jumping venue ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 1, 2014 in Rosa Khutor, Sochi.

Photo: Julian Finney, Getty Images

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Workmen continue construction at accommodation in Gorki Village Krasnaya Polyana prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 2, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Workmen continue construction at accommodation in Gorki Village Krasnaya Polyana prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 2, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Lars Baron, Getty Images

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Workmen continue construction at accommodation in Gorki City Krasnaya Polyana prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 2, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Workmen continue construction at accommodation in Gorki City Krasnaya Polyana prior to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 2, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Lars Baron, Getty Images

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A dog sits outside a vehicle security checkpoint ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics near the Olympic Park on February 5, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

A dog sits outside a vehicle security checkpoint ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics near the Olympic Park on February 5, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Joe Scarnici, Getty Images

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A stray dog walks past the Olympic rings during the official flag raising ceremony before the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014. Authorities have turned to a company to catch and kill the animals so they don't bother Sochi's new visitors, or even wander into an Olympic event. less

A stray dog walks past the Olympic rings during the official flag raising ceremony before the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014. Authorities have turned to a company to catch ... more

Photo: Nathan Denette, Associated Press

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A stray dog uses a pedestrian walkway in the Mountain Cluster prior to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

A stray dog uses a pedestrian walkway in the Mountain Cluster prior to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

Photo: Rob Schumacher, Reuters

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Construction continues at the Extreme Park at Rosa Khutor Mountain ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 5, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Construction continues at the Extreme Park at Rosa Khutor Mountain ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 5, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Photo: Cameron Spencer, Getty Images

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There Are Some Nightmare Travel Stories Coming Out Of Sochi

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Construction work that should have been long since completed is still in full swing on the eve of the Sochi Olympics.

While the main venues and Olympic Village are finished, the area around the Olympic Park and a number of hotels are effectively construction zones, according to widespread reports.

Among the nightmare stories: Hotels with stray dogs in the rooms, hotels without working elevators, and even one hotel that told its guests not to wash their faces with water because it was dangerous.

Two weeks ago Russian blogger Alexander Valov took a series of photos that showed Sochi half-built and covered in trash 15 days before the games. The sidewalks were falling apart, and construction equipment dotted the muddy patches on the outskirts of the Olympic Park.

Combined with the travel nightmares we're seeing from a variety of journalists, there's a growing impression that Sochi is not fully ready for the Olympics, despite spending a record ~$50 billion to stage the games.

You can't flush toilet paper down the toilet:

People have asked me what surprised me the most here in Sochi. It's this. Without question ... it's ... THIS. pic.twitter.com/1jj05FNdCP

A worker told Arthur, "In general, it is done. But the details are not done. And the details are everything."

When it won the bid in 2007, Sochi was a mid-sized resort town without the necessary infrastructure to host the Olympics. They had to build roads, train stations, 11 world-class sports venues, and dozens of hotels from scratch. Along the way there were numerous delays, and countless accusations of corruption.

Now, a few hours before the games start, there's still meaningful work to be done.